When to Replace Mini’s Front Wheel Bearings

02 Jul, 24

Do you know the signs to look out for or how to spot that the wheel bearing in your Mini is due for replacement? There are so many ways you can fish out a faulty front wheel bearing in your car. Before we look at the signs, let’s start by looking at what the wheel bearing does and how it works.

A wheel bearing is a metal ball or a roller that is housed within a metal ring. They are placed within the wheel hub and enable the wheel to turn freely without much resistance. Wheel bearings are one of those components that you do not realize are present in your Mini until they are faulty; the symptoms of failure usually are not very prominent when they are fresh but become obvious as they degenerate.

Signs That Indicate Your Wheel Bearings Need Replacing

• Grinding Noises: The first indication that your wheel bearings require replacement is if you hear a humming or grinding sound coming from the wheels each time you take your Mini for a spin. This noise is most probably felt when making turns or when the car is being driven at high speed. It is produced when the bearings fail to minimize the friction, and this results in the rubbing of metal components.
• Vibration in the Steering Wheel: Another sign of worn-out wheel bearings could be if you get a vibration through the steering wheel while you are driving. The vibration can cause irregular movement of the wheel since the bearings that make them move smoothly are damaged.
• Uneven Tire Wear: When the wheel bearings are worn out, it can result in uneven wearing of the tires. When you are driving with a bad front wheel bearing, you will notice some vibrations as we mentioned earlier. This shaking or vibration causes an imbalance in the way your tire touches the ground so your wheels and tires may not always make full contact with the ground. It is important to always look at the wheel bearings if you notice that your tires are wearing out more on one side of the car than the other.
• Loose Steering: Another sign that can be indicative of worn-out wheel bearings is loose or what is referred to as a ‘sloppy’ feel of the steering. When the bearings wear out, they enable a certain amount of play in the wheel hub, and this is often felt as looseness in the steering.

When Do You Need to Replace Wheel Bearings?

It is difficult to pinpoint at what age or time your Mini wheel bearings should be replaced because their wear and tear depends on driving conditions, usage of the vehicle, and maintenance practices. However, most wheel bearings can last for about 85,000 to 100,000 miles on average depending on the vehicle. There is also the possibility of having the bearings wearing out faster especially if you often drive over bumpy roads or through water.

Wheel bearings are important components of any Mini and it would be wise to have this checked during your routine maintenance. If any of the above signs are observed, do not wait for your next service interval – have the bearings examined and replaced if required. When you fail to fix a problem as soon as it is detected, you may end up spending more to have a complicated issue rectified.

What Happens During Replacement

Replacing wheel bearings is a very technical job and needs specific tools and knowledge so it is advisable to let a professional mechanic do the job. During replacement, the mechanic will have to pull out the wheel and brake parts to get to the bearings. The old bearings will be replaced with new ones and everything has to be greased and aligned properly.

It may take several hours, and if there are other damages such as cracks that need to be fixed, then the time taken will be longer. Even though this may sound like a lot of work, it is always advisable to replace the wheel bearings once they get worn out so as to ensure that your Mini is performing as expected and is safe to use.

Trust the Experts at Santa Barbara Autowerks

If you think that your Mini’s front wheel bearings are worn out already, do not procrastinate to have it checked. Here at Santa Barbara Autowerks, we focus on servicing popular German cars including Mini automobiles. Our skilled technicians employ the most modern equipment to properly diagnose and then replace the wheel bearings of your Mini, so your car stays safe and reliable on the road. To find out more about how we can help you, please visit our garage in Santa Barbara, CA, or contact us through our helpline.